The ever stylish and seldom reserved Brooklyn pastor Bishop Lamor Whitehead is again making headlines, this time for suing a New York area radio station for defamation. Whitehead is seeking damages in the amount of $50 million.
Whitehead first became a household name in July when he was robbed at gunpoint of roughly $1 million in jewelry while delivering a sermon at Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, where he serves as pastor. The robbery was caught on the church’s livestream.
Following the robbery, Whitehead became a vocal supporter of legislation that would enable pastors and clergy to carry firearms, regardless of criminal history. Whitehead himself has such a history, having previously served a prison sentence for grand larceny and identity theft.
“I’m calling on every elected official that has power to protect houses of worship,” Whitehead said during a press conference held outside his church in August. “We need protection. We need you to sympathize with us. We don’t get the luxury of having firearms. All we’re asking is help us protect ourselves. Pass a law where we can carry our firearms, because this gun violence has gone to a new level.”
Also following the robbery, Whitehead became the subject of scrutiny and criticism, both for the gaudy nature of his clothing, jewelry, and car, as well as for litigation against him alleging that he plundered $90,000 from a congregant’s retirement fund.
Whitehead publicly denied that the accusations of theft are true, referring to the allegations as “hype,” and characterizing his accusers as seeking to take advantage of his financial success.
Whitehead has repeatedly defended his lavish lifestyle, arguing that criticism against him on the grounds of his wealth is racially motivated.
“I don’t see y’all talking about Joel Osteen,” Whitehead has said.
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